Chapter 23 #2
“Yes. The time for neutrality has passed for us both. We can’t continue to sit idly by while the world we’ve both grown so attached to is snuffed out. No matter how you feel about your brethren, or heaven, or . . . Him, we cannot let Lucifer win this.”
He held my gaze for an uncomfortably long time. I knew this was a big decision for him. It went against the moral code he’s clung to for centuries. Longer, really. But I also knew I was right.
His expression didn’t change, but he held out his hands. “Can you do something about this?”
“Is that your way of saying you’ll join us?”
“I can’t exactly help you from here, can I?”
A little flicker of hope curled in my belly, but I kept my expression neutral as I rolled my eyes. “See? Insufferable. Just say thank you, Gabriel. It’s really not that hard.”
“Thank you, Gabriel,” he teased, though his heart wasn’t in it.
I leaned close and flicked him on the nose. “Don’t be cute. Now’s not the time.”
The spell on the chains was intricate, each link coated in power beyond my own. It made sense; Lucifer was the oldest of us and filled with his own warped type of angelic grace, but after a short inspection, I was able to recognize the magic.
“Do you know where he is?” I asked as I prepared to unravel the enchantment. I may not be strong enough to cast it, but spells were easy enough to undo if you knew what to look for. And I’d had the best possible teacher.
“No. He left me here suddenly a few days ago, or maybe it was a week. The days blur together.”
“Does he do that often?”
“He usually didn’t leave me alone for more than a few days. He wanted me to join him.”
I snorted. “Of course he did. He loves to have an audience witness his victories.” Reaching for Gabriel, I said. “Give me your hand.”
He did, but wariness crossed his face. “Why?”
With one razor-sharp nail, I sliced across his palm, making him flinch. “Because, you twat, your blood is the key. You could have freed yourself at any time if you’d known the incantation.”
“Well, I didn’t. What is it?”
“Ephphatha,” I said, grinning as the shackles opened and the chains fell to the floor. “You’re welcome.”
He rubbed his wrist with a rueful smirk. “I should have known.”
“Truly,” I agreed, offering him a hand up.
“Now what?” he asked, still holding on to me.
“Well, as lovely as our little reunion has been, we are in the middle of a war, darling. So off we pop.”
We materialized in my temporary office at our underground sanctuary.
Drystan was seated at my desk, fury burning in his eyes that promised a very entertaining session later.
But it was the others who were scattered around that really caught my attention.
Ben and Remi, Sunday and her priest, as well as Hades, all stared at me and my charge.
“What the devil are you all doing in here?” I drawled, turning my attention to my petulant prince.
“Deciding whether we needed to send out a rescue team,” he countered coolly, leaning back in my chair with his arms crossed.
He could be so pouty. It was adorable.
“Hey, leather feathers! Glad you could finally make it,” Remi said, striding up to us and clapping a hand on Gabriel’s shoulder. He leaned in and murmured, “I’ve gotta say, you’ve looked better. You might wanna take a minute and get cleaned up before you make your rounds.”
“Excuse the hell out of me. I’ve only been tortured for weeks on end by the actual devil. But sure. Let me get right on that. I wouldn’t want to offend anyone’s delicate sensibilities,” he snarled before storming out of the room.
“Does he even know where he’s going?” Hades asked, amusement coloring his tone.
Remi bolted for the door, calling behind him, “I’m on it! I’ve got a romance novel I want to talk about.”
“Do try not to piss him off this time. We need him to stay,” I shouted after him.
Before anyone could say another word, the lights flickered and the air grew thick with electricity. Drystan was standing now, palms flat on the top of my desk.
“All right, that’s enough. Everyone is where they belong, and the mission is accomplished. Now, unless your name is Lilith, I’ll thank you to see yourselves the fuck out.” His silver eyes locked on me. “We need to talk.”
Sunday snickered as they all stood and made for the door. “Usually that means she’s in trouble, but I’m pretty sure it’s code for fucking.”
Caleb chuckled. “And what makes you think so, a stor?”
“It’s all in the body language. And look at those fuck-me eyes.” Sunday gave me a wink as they reached the door. “They’re totally about to do it.”
She wasn’t wrong. But I shot her a disdainful glare anyway. “You heard him. Out.”
As soon as the door shut behind the last of them, Drystan rounded the desk and snagged me by the nape. “Never do that to me again,” he growled.
“Or what?”
His nostrils flared at the challenge in my voice.
“Bend over the desk and I’ll show you.”
“Is this supposed to be a deterrent?”
“Not even close.”
I wouldn’t typically let him take the lead, but he’d been genuinely concerned for me, and now that he wasn’t wearing my collar, all bets were off. So I did as he told me, offering him my leather-clad arse.
“Are you going to spank me, Drystan?”
“I should.” He ran his palm down my back until he circled one of my toned arse cheeks. Then he leaned over me until his lips were at my ear. “But I think I’ll edge you instead. Brats don’t get what they want.”
And then he was gone, his warmth and weight an unwelcome absence as the door opened and closed behind him. Now I was alone, turned on beyond belief, and uncharacteristically frustrated.
“Bloody hell, you do one good deed . . .”